Barack Obama makes Michael Jordan cry after joking he is 'more than just a meme' at White House ceremony

The original Crying Jordan photo was snapped in 2009 by Associated Press photographer Stephan Savoia, who captured an emotional Jordan as he prepared to deliver his Hall of Fame speech

President Barack Obama did not hold back the humour while doling out his last set of Presidential Medals of Freedom on Tuesday, especially when it came to Michael Jordan.

At one point taking aim at Jordan’s acting chops by referring to the basketball great as “the guy from ‘Space Jam,’ ” Mr Obama also earned laughs by referencing this year’s most viral Jordan-related joke - his famous meme.

Dubbed “Crying Jordan,” the meme exploded within the online sports world this year, with people using it to mock anyone who found themselves on the losing side.

“Michael Jordan is … more than just an Internet meme,” Mr Obama said to the chuckling crowd that came to see Jordan and 20 other individuals receive the country’s highest civilian honor. “There is a reason you call someone the Michael Jordan of [something]. They know what you’re talking about because Michael Jordan is the Michael Jordan of greatness. He is the definition of somebody so good at what they do that everybody recognizes it. That’s pretty rare.”

The original Crying Jordan photo was snapped in 2009 by Associated Press photographer Stephan Savoia, who captured an emotional Jordan as he prepared to deliver his Hall of Fame speech. His Airness was brought to tears when the audience gave him a long standing ovation.